Aquactinics constellation - how to take the splash guard off?

viodea · 03/07/2008, 09:30 PM

I just received my constellation. There is no manual. I want to take to splash guard off to put lamps on but can't figure out how. I don't want to put too much force and break it.
Seems like the only way is to unscrew it first but that doesn't make too much sense.

Jeff · 03/07/2008, 09:35 PM

4 screws on the end. 2 on top and 2 from the end. The end cap comes off and the acrylic splashguard will slide out.

viodea · 03/07/2008, 09:38 PM

thanks for your quick reply. I can't believe I need to unscrew it to change lights.

Jeff · 03/07/2008, 09:51 PM

How often do you plan on changing bulbs?

viodea · 03/07/2008, 10:53 PM

quite often... now to arrange bulbs to my liking. Then, not a lot

I have a problem with my wiring in the house now. I can't turn on all 7 bulbs. whenever I do, CFGI tripped. It's one of those in-wall CFGI, which I didn't plug into. I think they somehow wired together with the outlet that I use. I tired plugging in 3 set of input to 3 different power outlet, it still trips.

seems like the outlet alone the whole wall are wired together. What can I do to fix this?

LostinTime · 03/07/2008, 11:35 PM

You only have two choices and maybe only one......

1 Have someone run you a new circuit straight from the circuit breaker panel. (THis will definitely work). Be sure and use either a GFCI socket or breaker on the new circuit. And USE both the old and new circuits.

2. Instead of using GFCI wall socket use a GFCI breaker. The breakers tend to be better. (No guarantees here,... and replace the socket)
Depending on the wire size on the circuit you could possibly increase the amperage of the breaker to a 20 amp. More than likely it is a 15 amp circuit.)

It sounds like your exceeding the circuit amperage.
While the socket type works ok, the circuit breakers are actually better and not that much difference in price.

Hope this helps.

viodea · 03/07/2008, 11:48 PM

One reason I don't want GFCI breaker is if one faulty device is going to shutdown everything and crash the whole tank.

I have like 54W * 7 = 378W --> 3.4A. If my circuit is 15, it's not even close to the limit.
I do have 2 power head & one pump along that line but none of them were running when the light tripped GFCI.

I just don't understand why it's tripping like this. Is it possible the in-wall GFCI is rated less than 15A , maybe like 3A or so, then it make sense because it doesn't trip when only 2 set of 3 is on. It trips only when all 3 sets are on.

BLockamon · 03/08/2008, 12:05 AM

If they are working properly, GFCIs don't trip from too much current draw but from a current imbalance. If the current out doesn't equal the current returning (i.e., some shorted to ground through the tank...or you), then it trips.

Try unplugging all other equipment on the circuit. If it works, then it is probably an incremental leak that is adding up. Powerheads are a common culprit.

If that doesn't work, I'd recommend trying the light on another GFCI circuit (any in the bathroom or around the kitchen sink should do). If it trips, then there is probably a leak or short in the light. If not, then the first GFCI outlet is probably bad and needs to be replaced.

viodea · 03/08/2008, 12:41 AM

I tried my light on 2 different circuits with 2 different GFCIs. In both setup, GFCI tripped after the 3rd set of light turned on.

How can I confirm if there is a leak or short in the light?

Aquactinics · 03/08/2008, 05:02 AM

viodea,

Please call us on Monday and we can help you out. Most GFCI circuits are too sensitive for use with multiple lighting ballasts. I can help you try a few things to best work for you. People have found some GE and Levisten(sp?) GFCI circuits that had a higher "current leakage" threshold that worked.

Thank you,

Tom
Aquactinics
203-234-9286

viodea · 03/08/2008, 12:08 PM

alright, I'll call you on monday.

Icefire · 03/08/2008, 01:21 PM

I guess the wall outlets are plugged on the LOAD side of the GFI so all the outlet are GFCI protected. you could remove the GFI, take the load wire and put them before the gfi.

viodea · 03/08/2008, 02:51 PM

Thanks for your suggestion. I'm electrical noob. So, I have to have someone stop by to do it if I choose this route. I hate to kill myself during process or void my insurance if something happened due to my faulty wiring.

03/07/2008, 09:30 PM	#1
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	Aquactinics constellation - how to take the splash guard off? I just received my constellation. There is no manual. I want to take to splash guard off to put lamps on but can't figure out how. I don't want to put too much force and break it. Seems like the only way is to unscrew it first but that doesn't make too much sense.

03/07/2008, 09:35 PM	#2
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	4 screws on the end. 2 on top and 2 from the end. The end cap comes off and the acrylic splashguard will slide out. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

03/07/2008, 09:51 PM	#4
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	How often do you plan on changing bulbs? __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

03/08/2008, 01:21 PM	#12
Icefire Seasoned reefer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In Quebec, Canada Posts: 3,653	I guess the wall outlets are plugged on the LOAD side of the GFI so all the outlet are GFCI protected. you could remove the GFI, take the load wire and put them before the gfi. __________________ Temp 80F, PH 8.5-8.0, Alk 6.8-7.2, Ca 430, Mg 1700, NO3 0-0.25, PO4 0.04, 34.4 PPT Lights @ 100% all others, 35% White Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 120lbs live rocks, Hydra52 2x120W, 2 MP40+ 1 MP10 @ 70%, Phosban 550 GFO+Carbon, 200W Heater, SWC Skimmer, Kalk ATO, 150 gpd RODI

03/07/2008, 09:38 PM	#3
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	thanks for your quick reply. I can't believe I need to unscrew it to change lights.

03/07/2008, 10:53 PM	#5
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	quite often... now to arrange bulbs to my liking. Then, not a lot I have a problem with my wiring in the house now. I can't turn on all 7 bulbs. whenever I do, CFGI tripped. It's one of those in-wall CFGI, which I didn't plug into. I think they somehow wired together with the outlet that I use. I tired plugging in 3 set of input to 3 different power outlet, it still trips. seems like the outlet alone the whole wall are wired together. What can I do to fix this?

03/07/2008, 11:35 PM	#6
LostinTime Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kannapolis NC Posts: 91	You only have two choices and maybe only one...... 1 Have someone run you a new circuit straight from the circuit breaker panel. (THis will definitely work). Be sure and use either a GFCI socket or breaker on the new circuit. And USE both the old and new circuits. 2. Instead of using GFCI wall socket use a GFCI breaker. The breakers tend to be better. (No guarantees here,... and replace the socket) Depending on the wire size on the circuit you could possibly increase the amperage of the breaker to a 20 amp. More than likely it is a 15 amp circuit.) It sounds like your exceeding the circuit amperage. While the socket type works ok, the circuit breakers are actually better and not that much difference in price. Hope this helps.

03/07/2008, 11:48 PM	#7
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	One reason I don't want GFCI breaker is if one faulty device is going to shutdown everything and crash the whole tank. I have like 54W * 7 = 378W --> 3.4A. If my circuit is 15, it's not even close to the limit. I do have 2 power head & one pump along that line but none of them were running when the light tripped GFCI. I just don't understand why it's tripping like this. Is it possible the in-wall GFCI is rated less than 15A , maybe like 3A or so, then it make sense because it doesn't trip when only 2 set of 3 is on. It trips only when all 3 sets are on.

03/08/2008, 12:05 AM	#8
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	If they are working properly, GFCIs don't trip from too much current draw but from a current imbalance. If the current out doesn't equal the current returning (i.e., some shorted to ground through the tank...or you), then it trips. Try unplugging all other equipment on the circuit. If it works, then it is probably an incremental leak that is adding up. Powerheads are a common culprit. If that doesn't work, I'd recommend trying the light on another GFCI circuit (any in the bathroom or around the kitchen sink should do). If it trips, then there is probably a leak or short in the light. If not, then the first GFCI outlet is probably bad and needs to be replaced.

03/08/2008, 12:41 AM	#9
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	I tried my light on 2 different circuits with 2 different GFCIs. In both setup, GFCI tripped after the 3rd set of light turned on. How can I confirm if there is a leak or short in the light?

03/08/2008, 05:02 AM	#10
Aquactinics Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: North Haven, CT Posts: 656	viodea, Please call us on Monday and we can help you out. Most GFCI circuits are too sensitive for use with multiple lighting ballasts. I can help you try a few things to best work for you. People have found some GE and Levisten(sp?) GFCI circuits that had a higher "current leakage" threshold that worked. Thank you, Tom Aquactinics 203-234-9286

03/08/2008, 12:08 PM	#11
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	alright, I'll call you on monday.

03/08/2008, 02:51 PM	#13
viodea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 520	Thanks for your suggestion. I'm electrical noob. So, I have to have someone stop by to do it if I choose this route. I hate to kill myself during process or void my insurance if something happened due to my faulty wiring.